Apart from Slackware!
 

Hi all!

I am a noob to Linux so I am looking for a distro that plays ok alongside Windws Vista, at least until I familiarise myself with Linux. Reasonably easy to install and set up, good network printer detection.
There are that many out there just don't know where to start.

I did buy Slackware 12.0 but soon found out it isn't the best distro for a beginner.

Thank you all in advance

Any of the major distros with a package manager will work.

Do you mean on the same hard disk? Or networked together?

I agree, Slackware is not the best beginners distor. It is rock solid, once you have enough skill to install and configure things. The installer is good these days.

Look at Ubuntu, Mandriva, or Fedora. Mandriva is very straight forward to install.

You will need Cups installed on linux, what ever distro you choose. Then you can add a network printer. Keep in mind there needs to be a linux driver for the printer. Look at www.linuxprinting.org for information on printer support, and the existence of a linux driver for your favorite paper masher.

Depends on beginner. With some dedication beginner can figure out everything.

I would recommend Ultimate edition 1.9-which is Ubuntu 8.04 with almost everything added!
Ubuntu's are very easy to work with and are kinda Window's friendly.
Install Ubuntu either next to Vista or "inside" Vista-frugal.
Slackware is actually a great choice too, but better for more advanced Linux users or for Linux users who want to find out the nuts and bolts of Linux.
You could also go grab Qemu or Virtualbox, Qemu-launcher is the easiest, run several distro's through Qemu and then decide.

I started with Puppy
but now I know already several distribution. All have their pros and contras.
I think for a beginner Live'CDs are very helpful: Without changing the system a beginner can become familiar to Linux.
Beside Mandriva and Ubuntu I think openmamba is also a good distribution for beginners - and I still like Puppy.
All of them are free to download - you don't have to buy them to check out which is the best for you.

Thank you for the replies
I actually found an old disc from a few months ago off a linux made easy magazine. It contained Ubuntu 8.04 (I think)so had a go with that. Found it installed very easily and straight away detected network printer (oki c5650n) when asked to add printer.
A little too windows like but I did find that some things do need cli intervention to install etc, so for time being think it will good for me to cut my teeth on.
No doubt will be asking many questions when I get stuck....lol.
Once again thanks for replies